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Beegie Adair: Dream Dancing - Songs of Cole Porter
Happy, tasteful, merry and relaxed all are adjectives which can be used to describe Adair's playing. Most of the performances are upbeat serving as a platform for a cool, dazzling technique. One of the merriest on the set is "From This Moment on". In addition to the refreshing piano interpretation of Cole Porter's melody forKiss Me Kate, this cut allows Chris Brown to lay on some heavy drum breaks. There's exotic Brazilian tempo for "I Concentrate on You" which seems to be a favorite tune among pianists to apply a Latin beat to. For "What Is This Thing Called Love," Adair turns vamp, traipsing up and down the keyboard as she lays on well placed arpeggios. This time Brown chips in with running drum rolls. But it's not all upbeat as Adair gets plaintive as she addresses the question "Why Shouldn't I"." Every Time We say Goodbye" is the favorite track for me. Adair manages to grab hold of the full meaning of this one of Porter's more accomplished compositions and wring every ounce of passion from it.
This is not a groundbreaking, seminal performance by any means. But Adair and her trio offer an hour of delightful music by one of America's great composers of popular music. And the offering is done in such a way as to give a fresh perspective to oft played standards. Recommended indeed.
Track Listing
You'd Be So Nice to Come Home to; You're the Top; I Love Paris; So in Love; I Concentrate on You; Dream Dancing; I Love You; What Is This Thing Called Love; Easy to Love; Every Time We Say Goodbye; It's all Right with Me; Why Shouldn't I; From This Moment on; Begin the Beguine
Personnel
Beegie Adair
pianoBeegie Adair - Piano; Roger Spencer - Bass; Chris Brown - Drums
Album information
Title: Dream Dancing - Songs of Cole Porter | Year Released: 2001 | Record Label: Hillsboro